Q I am an adult with ADHD and I also suffer from significant depression. How should I approach this?
A Depression and anxiety are highly comorbid with adult ADHD, and integrated treatment addressing both conditions simultaneously is needed.
Detailed Answer
In adults with ADHD, depression and low self-esteem are extremely common due to prolonged experiences of frustration and failure. Depression and ADHD create a vicious cycle in which each worsens the other, and the risk of substance abuse is also elevated. It is important to undergo both an adult ADHD assessment (Conners Adult Scale) and a depression assessment (PHQ-9) and to establish treatment priorities accordingly.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, adult ADHD with depression is understood as Heart-Spleen Deficiency compounded by Liver Qi Stagnation (간울). At Dongjedang, we add herbs that soothe and unblock Liver Qi — such as Bupleurum root (시호) and Cyperus rhizome (향부자) — to a Guipi Tang base, composing a formula that simultaneously improves concentration and mood. Acupuncture targets Baihui (GV20), Neiguan (PC6), and Taichong (LR3) to regulate the stress response.
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